Are you having trouble getting used to Windows 8 in absence of the legendary "Start button" on Microsoft’s new OS - Windows 8. Well no worries this article will guide you on how to get back your shiny little start button back on your Windows 8 operating system.

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Steps

Method 1 of 3: Using Pokki

Double click the installer to start the Pokki installation. In the installation window, you will see an option "Use Pokki as my Start Menu". Tick the option and click “Install” to install the software as your "Start Button".

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Wait for the software to get installed. You will need an internet connection for the software to get installed.

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After your installation is over, you'll see a Pokki icon as your "Start Button" on your Windows 8.

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Pokki brings back your "Start" button menu in a simple and fluid manner with an even more simple start menu panel.

Method 2 of 3: Using Viva

Double click the installer and follow the installation instructions to install the Viva software.

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After the installation is over, you will be directed to the Viva settings. Choose your required settings like the menu style, Menu skin and icon styles (Basic Settings) in the Viva settings. You can even set things individually for everything by toggling from "Basic settings" to "All settings" by ticking the latter option in the bottom left hand side of the Viva settings.

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Viva brings back your legendary "Start" button as present in previous Microsoft OS versions like Windows 7 and XP. Viva also has a quick link to the Windows 8's start up tiles menu, so that you can also enjoy the tablet version of Windows 8.

Method 3 of 3: Using Stardock Start8

Double click the installer to start the installation process. Since Start8 is a paid app, it comes with three options:

Free Trial- In this installation, you'll get a 90days free trial period however you still have to activate the free trial through web by entering the generated code during the installation instructions.

Purchase- In this installation, you'll be directed to create an account and pay via debit.

Enter code- If you already have an activation code then you can use this installation type to continue the installation process.

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As you finish the chosen mode of installation, you'll be directed to settings page where you can set your "start" button theme and icon display and settings. Here the uniqueness lies in the windows 8 "start" button theme which is absent in above two methods.

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Tips

Windows 8 innovators aim at making Windows users familiar with the tablet version of windows and is probably a market plan to boost windows phone. However the above methods allow Users to use the metro look of Windows 8 while still having the "Start" button.

Pokki fits awesomely into Windows 8's environment as it provides loads of other apps for your PC when compared to Viva and Start8.

Having a start button helps users in an easy booting options and searching, while still maintaining a tablet feeling in the Windows 8. The above method not only brings back your "Start" button but also helps you in toggling your icons and theme settings.

Start8 being a paid app has great features and also provides a a unique collection of Windows 8 type icons and themes. However on the other hand Viva provides start button themes for Windows XP, Windows Classic and Windows 7 or Vista.

If you are unhappy with the start button then you can simply uninstall them by going to program settings in control panel. Uninstalling will remove the start icon.

Warnings

Start8 won't work on your PC if your Windows 8 is not registered. Make sure you have a registered copy of Windows 8 before you plan on installing Start8.

Do not blindly buy paid software's even before trying the free software's as you might regret later for not trying out the free software. We recommend trying free software's to avoid any regrets.

Don't try to modify your HKEY roots to restore the start button in Windows 8 (Manual method). Apparently the manual method of disabling the metro look and absence of "start" button has been disabled in the released versions of Windows 8 and thus trying to modify your HKEY codes will do no good to your system and has high risk of getting corrupted. The disabling is only possible in the pre versions like consumer preview however the article applies to all the Windows 8 versions.